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Prejmer

Harman

Biertan

Brateiu

Saxon Fortified Churches

Nowhere else in the world can there be found the great number of well preserved fortified churches in such a close proximity. Over 150 fortifications exist today in southern Transylvania – a phenomenal testament to the Saxons and their history, religion and social culture.

Established in the 13th century when King Geza II of Hungary brought Germans into Transylvania, the Saxon villages built thriving, strong communities of farmers, artisans and merchants. Located in a region constantly under the threat of Ottoman and Tartar invasions, the Saxons built fortifications out of the necessity to protect themselves. The most important towns were fully fortified. The smaller communities built defenses around the church, adding impressive towers and storehouses for their most valuable items and to help them withstand long sieges.

Located in the middle of the village, the church is the epicenter of the fortification. It is surrounded by a small courtyard and a row or multiple fortified walls around the church. The churches are either Romanesque basilicas or late Gothic single-nave and often include baroque elements. Their additions range from the time the churches were built in the late Middle Ages to the 16th century.

In almost all cases, the church is poised on the hillside, defending the town it overlooks. Each one is unique with its traditional stone and red bricks with a red clay tiled roof. The fortifications often possess observation towers adapted for defense and once serving as a church tower.

Near the church is the main village square (Tanzplaz) with buildings utilized by the community, such as a school or village hall. The parish house and the houses of the most wealthy villagers were situated around the square, usually with barns for grain storage nearby.

Currently, seven former villages with fortified churches are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Biertan, Calnic, Darjiu, Prejmer, Saschiz, Valea Viilor, and Viscri.

Motoromania recommends visits to explore the interiors and exteriors of the fortifications of Prejmer, Harman and Biertan. The exteriors of Aiud, Bratieu, Rotbav, Saschiz and Slimnic are also a treasure. It is a pleasure to ride through village after village pointing out one fortified church after another nestled in the village center or on the hillside. In fact, should time permit, you could make a special tour of the Saxon fortified churches.

One of the most impressive fortified churches is PREJMER. A moat, drawbridge and iron gates surrounded this 14th century cross-shaped building. Its well-preserved 12-meter high walls remain. These walls are laid out in a square round angle with protection offered by buttresses, water ditches, four towers and various reinforcements. The walls are three-to-four stories tall offering 260 separate living quarters for the community’s families and attics for additional storage. Exploring and walking on the interior fortress wall provides an unimaginable perspective of the preparation for the invasion and sense of community.

The Roman style church (1280-90) at HARMAN was built by Cistercian monks. It was then rebuilt in a Gothic style. Between 1500-20, a fortress with oval shaped 5-meter thick and 12-meter high walls were constructed. Six of its seven towers are preserved. Significantly smaller than its neighboring Prejmer, it affords a pleasant visit to explore the grounds and peer inside the rooms, which protected the families and their belongings.

One of the largest and strongest peasant fortress-churches is BIERTAN. Perched on the hillside in the village’s center, it is coil shaped with impressive walls and eight dramatic towers. Biertan was built between 1490-1592 with alterations in the 17th century. Its outstanding features are the 1515 church door with an ingenious locking system with 19 locks operated simultaneously with a single key, and an altar with 28 polychrome wooden sculptures. The original pews with inlaid patterns provide a seat to absorb the serene surroundings. In 1993, the Biertan Church and surrounding area was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The following four fortified churches are conveniently located off Highway 14:

Brateiu is a pleasant stop, a few yards off the main road in a quiet town and surrounded by trees. Rotbav was built in the 14th century and cannot be missed right next to the road. The church in Saschiz was constructed between 1493-96 with its tower in 1832 for defense (notice its upper part resembles Sighisoara’s clock tower). The present structure stands on ruins of a Roman church. The tower and the church sustained damage from the 1977, 1986, and 1990 earthquakes. Perched on the hillside, Slimnic was built in the 14th century and then rebuilt in 1792.

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